Loose Women is a Britishpanel show that has been broadcast on ITV since 6 September 1999. The programme focuses on a panel of four female presenters who interview celebrities and discuss topical issues, ranging from daily politics and current affairs, to celebrity gossip.

Loose Women is part of the ITV daytime programming schedule, airing on weekdays from 12:30−1:30pm.

Adams and Nadia Sawalha were the original anchors on the show. Sawalha left in 2002, after the birth of her first child; Adams kept the role for the first ten series until the end of 2006, when she left to go on maternity leave.[2]

Adams, Sawalha and Jane Moore all appeared in the very first episode and Ruth Langsford appeared in the second episode. Nolan, Welch, Gloria Hunniford and Linda Robson first appeared as guest panelists during the second, third, fourth and fifth series respectively before later becoming regular panelists. McGiffin and Hewson, currently the longest serving panelist, began their stints as regular panelists at the start of the fourth series.

From 2007 to 2009, the anchor job was mainly shared by McLean and Jackie Brambles. Following Brambles' departure in August 2009,[3]Kate Thornton took over from her during the following month and continued to present the show in rotation with McLean until August 2011. Following a relaunch in September 2011, the role of anchor was shared between McLean and Carol Vorderman, replacing Thornton, coinciding with the departures of Nolan, Zoe Tyler and Lynda Bellingham.

Loose Women underwent a presenter revamp for its eighteenth series, following the departure of McGiffin at the end of series 17.[4] Long-running panelists Welch, McDonald and Lisa Maxwell also departed from the programme in October 2013, December 2013 and March 2014 respectively.[5]

Many former presenters were reintroduced for the eighteenth series of the programme. Nolan, Sawalha and Moore returned as panelists during October 2013, whilst Adams returned as anchor in November.[6] Later, Langsford rejoined the programme as an anchor in January 2014.[7]

The panel underwent a further presenter revamp for its nineteenth following the departures of Vorderman,[9]Sally Lindsay and Shobna Gulati. Klass and Claire Richards, who had been panelists for series 18, also did not return. Hunniford, Penny Lancaster and Judy Finnigan were announced as new panelists. The series also featured a total revamp in the style of the show, with the logo, set and theme tune changed dramatically, and the panelists walking out to their respective seats at the start, behind a smaller desk, closer to the audience.

In this series a book club, Loose Books, was introduced; a panelist picks a book which the audience and the other panelists read. The first was chosen by Nolan called 'The Girl On The Train' by Paula Hawkins which as a result went to number 1.

The anchor team currently consists of Adams, Langsford and McLean. The panel also rotate throughout the week, with three of them appearing on each show. Nolan regularly appears three times a week, whilst Langsford, Moore and Janet Street-Porter either appear two or three times a week. McLean, Sawalha and Jamelia regularly appear twice a week. Adams, Robson, Hewson and Hunniford appear at most once a week. Lancaster, Finnigan and June Sarpong appear only occasionally.

Nolan was the most recurring panelist on series 19, with a total of 112 appearances.

From March 2015 Loose Books was launched. Similar to Richard and Judy's Book Club. The idea is that a panelist picks a book which the audience and the other panelist read. The first was chosen by Coleen Nolan called 'The Girl On The Train' by Paula Hawkins which as a result went to number 1

Loose @ 5.30 aired at 5.30pm on ITV for two weeks from 29 May 2006. This teatime spin-off of Loose Women was a slight twist on the original format; the panel was composed of both men and women for the first time.[11] The programme was co-anchored by Kaye Adams and Ted Robbins. Panellists from Loose Women included Adams, Hewson, McGiffin, Welch, Jane McDonald and Coleen Nolan. They were joined by male panelists Jason Gardiner and Jeff Brazier.

In Germany, Frauenzimmer aired between 26 October 2009 and 20 November 2009. The show was cancelled due to poor ratings.[13]

In Australia, The Circle first aired in 2010 and has a similar format. The show, which also features cookery and makeover segments, is a popular daytime show on Network Ten.

In France, Le Grand 8 has been aired since October 2012 on weekdays from 12.10 to 13.25 on D8 free digital terrestrial channel, part of Canal + group. The host, Laurence Ferrari, former anchorwoman of TF1 8h PM newscast, and 4 panelists discuss on topics such as politics, health, trends, business and culture.

In Ireland, Midday first aired in 2008 on TV3. Midday has been described as an Irish Loose Women but a TV3 representative said "We're not going to be like Loose Women though, they seem to do a lot of men bashing and talking about their sex lives, we certainly won't be doing that"

In Mexico, Netas Divinas first aired in 2012. It is among the few variations of the programme to be aired in other countries, having aired in other Latin American countries as well as on Galavision in the United States.

In late 2008, ITV released Let Loose: The Very Best Of Loose Women, a DVD featuring highlights of Series 12 and 13. The DVD is introduced by Brambles and Nolan, with McDonald and McGiffin giving an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the set at The London Studios.[14] A second DVD was released in November 2009, entitled Late Night with the Loose Women. The extended programme features McLean, Hewson, McGiffin and McDonald discussing raunchier topics than the television timeslot permits, and includes appearances by guests Will Mellor, Rustie Lee and Christopher Biggins.[15] A 2010 DVD release saw McGiffin, Hewson, Maxwell and Welch visit New York, titled Loose Women in New York: Let Loose in the City. The DVD was released on 8 November 2010.[16]

A range of books have also been published under the brand which has expanded further with an online shop selling make-up products, champagne, personalised cups and stationery.[17]